Location: “NUS-08-2”, the science stop at 87° 51’ 0” S, 1°47’ 33” W
Weather: -22° C, light winds up to 5 kts

Lou's cores, the two long ones of 30 and 18 meters drilled with the electric drill, were done in great time and an almost perfect set of cores were taken.

Not everything went according to plan, though.  One hand auger we had to leave 9 meters beneath the surface when the core refused to brake off and be pulled up. Great efforts were thrown in to get the drill head up again, involving several helping hands, hours of digging, hot water and a crane. But alas – what was frozen into the ice remains in the ice.  The flight too did not go entirely according to the expectations that were mounting as the crowd gathered to see the UAV off on its first launch. I think the whole camp was attending and some were even sitting on top of the vehicles.  There were oooohs heard all around as the plane belly landed only 15 meters from the launcher. The thin air around us has impacts on engines and propellers as well as lungs and brains. Measures has to be taken and the next time we stop another try will be made.

In between all the science, we found time for a Christmas celebration too. Last night we ended work at 7 pm, had a quick wash and entered a living module nicely set for Christmas: blinds down, candles twinkling, a flashing tree with a few presents from home, and an excellent meal prepared by Einar: roast turkey from USA, akevitt from Norway, vegetables, stuffing and lots of other yummies. Of course we also had rice pudding the Norwegian way for lunch – but sadly, no one found the almond and nobody could claim the prize.  The marzipan pig rides on.

The UAV enjoying a brief moment of flight. Photo: Ole Tveiten